Joeys Friends Inaugural Gala At The Bowery Hotel
The Venue: Bowery Hotel
For Joey’s Friends’ inaugural gala, the Bowery Hotel became a colorful expression of the organization’s Southern roots. Rather than simply embracing the hotel’s signature downtown character, we reimagined the space to feel like a grand Southern home: warm, welcoming, and layered with personality, while still maintaining a refined New York edge. Rich colors, layered patterns, and unexpected details transformed the Bowery into something entirely new, creating an atmosphere that felt both elevated and wonderfully lived-in. The result was a celebration that felt sophisticated yet joyful, polished yet inviting, and deeply connected to the spirit of Joey’s Friends: bringing people together to make tails wag and find dogs the right home.
Doggy Details
The decor brought our vision of Southern charm to life through a mix of airy florals, vintage pieces, and layers of pattern and texture. Working with Mimosa, we created colorful, loose arrangements that brought softness and movement to the room, while floral-print linens connected beautifully with the stationery and other dog-inspired details. Patterned table lamps added another layer of charm, while vintage lampshades suspended from the ceiling became one of our favorite elements in the room. Each shade brought its own print, color, and fringe detail, creating a collected feeling overhead and adding warmth and texture to the space. We were intentional about where color and pattern appeared, giving each element room to shine without overwhelming the room. The result felt eclectic and collected.
Paw Prints
Polk Paper did a fantastic job translating the spirit of the event into stationery and signage. We had so much fun dreaming up the details, from vibrant combinations of contrasting yet complementary colors to stripes, checks, and graphic prints. The auction panels featuring portraits of the dogs at the heart of Joey’s Friends were a favorite, as was the cheeky “Bone Appetite” bib that brought a little humor to the tables. Menus, pamphlets, and even the pub quiz were all designed to complement the room, carrying the visual language from the larger design into the smaller details. It was these printed pieces that helped make the event feel so considered, with the story of Joey’s Friends showing up everywhere guests looked.
The Activations
The activations gave guests even more ways to connect with the mission and the dogs at the heart of Joey’s Friends. Our dog artist created custom portraits that became part of the decor, while also painting live throughout the evening, making the artwork an evolving part of the celebration. Guests could have a little fun with a dog psychic, create friendship charm bracelets, or visit the embroidery station to personalize dog accessories. Each experience gave guests something to take part in, while keeping the evening centered around creativity, connection, and a shared love of dogs.
Other Details
The food and drinks continued the visual and cultural story of the evening, bringing the color palette and Southern influence to the table. Custom cocktails and beverages added another dose of color at the bar, while the Southern-inspired menu reinforced the warmth and hospitality woven throughout the event. Even the smallest details got in on the fun, including the bone-shaped butter served alongside the meal, which brought a clever dog-inspired touch to the table while adding to the overall design. Dot Cakes brought the celebration to a sweet close with colorful, sprinkle-covered treats that felt right at home among the surrounding patterns and colors. From the first cocktail to the final bite, every detail was considered as part of the larger experience, creating an evening that felt cohesive, welcoming, and unmistakably Joey’s Friends.
Event Planner and Designer: Jove Meyer
Venue: Bowery Hotel
Photography: Corbin Gurkin
Florals: Mimosa
Stationary: Polk Paper
Pet Portraits: Ben Lenovitz
Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd, BBJ La Tavola
Lighting: Stortz Lighting
DJ: June Events
Mini Cakes: The Dot Cakes
Wine: Hampton Water